Mental-health support

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has guaranteed a Liberalnationals government would provide young Victorians, regardless of where they lived in the state, access to appropriate mental-health services.

Ms Kealy, in her role as the Coalition’s mental-health spokesperson, said the Liberal-nationals would spend $1.14-million over four years to support headspace to provide outreach services if they won office.

Headspace is a critical support network for Victorians aged 12 to 25.

It offers support to youths experiencing mental-health or drug and alcohol related issues.

Ms Kealy said the service for young people living in rural or remote Victoria could often be out of reach.

“These new outreach services will make sure young people can get the help they need, close to home and break down barriers to access, especially in rural areas where there is limited public transport,” she said.

“Programs could include social events for young people or regular outreach health services in communities without a permanent headspace location.”

One in four young people have experienced a mentalhealth issue in the past 12 months – a higher prevalence than all other age groups.

“Research shows that 75 percent of mental-health issues emerge before the age of 25,” Ms Kealy said.

“By treating these issues early and providing a holistic model of support, the risk of it developing into more serious problems is greatly reduced.”

Ms Kealy said outreach services had been successfully established in other states, including New South Wales and Queensland.

“Headspace has had great success in engaging youth with mental-health and drug and alcohol problems, but we can do better in Victoria to support our young people,” she said.

“We must make sure all young people can get the mental-health support they need – regardless of where they live.

“I’m proud to be part of a Liberal-nationals government that will put the health of our young people first.”